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East Maui's Pipiwai Trail leads visitors into the lush Oheo Gulch and through an impressive bamboo forest. There are two waterfalls on either side of the forest: Makahiku Falls and Waimoku Falls. The four-mile round-trip hike to the falls and through the forest starts at the Kipahulu Visitor Center of Haleakala National Park, and is a favorite of travelers driving the epic Hana Road.

Haleakala National Park

Haleakala National Park (nps.gov) protects a large swath of East Maui, including the 10,000-foot summit and enormous crater of the Haleakala volcano. An arm of the park extends down the volcano's slopes to the Pacific Ocean; this section is called the Kipahulu district, and though much of it is closed to visitors for research, you can hike the rain forest, swim in the Seven Sacred Pools, and catch the spray of two waterfalls. The four-mile Pipiwai Trail brings visitors to each of these spots, and is a relatively easy hike that gains just 650 feet from start to finish.

Seven Sacred Pools

Starting out on the Pipiwai Trail, the first stop is just a half mile from the visitor center. The Seven Sacred Pools, also called The Pools of ‘Ohe’o, is a series of swimming holes beneath two small waterfalls. The popular spot is the perfect relief from the hot, humid Maui weather, although the water can be bracingly cold when you first jump in. From the pools, you can watch waves lash the rocky coast a few hundred yards below.

Makahiku Falls

The next stop on the Pipiwai Trail is the overlook for Makahiku Falls, which cascades 184 feet. A short spur leads hikers to the top of the falls, where another calm swimming hole, called the Infinity Pool, sits. The spot can be dangerous, though, and many people have died after being washed over the falls in flash floods. If there is rain up-canyon, stay out of the pool.

Bamboo Forest

About a mile and a half into the hike, the rain forest changes from varied vegetation to a monoculture of towering bamboo, which forms a dark tunnel around the trail. The thick bamboo lets in very little sunlight, and significantly cools the air. Much of the trail here is on boardwalks elevated a foot off the ground. Breezes clink the bamboo stalks together, making you feel as though you're in a massive wind chime.

Waimoku Falls

The Pipiwai Trail ends after two miles at the striking, 400-foot-tall Waimoku Falls. The feathery falls slides down a slab of black, volcanic rock, and is surrounded by rain forest. You'll have to cross the stream here to get to the base of the falls, but there are usually exposed rocks to step on. Take your time to ensure a safe crossing. Some choose to swim here, but you should avoid wading directly under the waterfall. It may seem innocuous, but dangerous debris such as logs and tree branches can fall onto swimmers.

Getting There

The Pipiwai Trail is accessible off the scenic Hana Highway. Visitors can enter the national park traveling west from the town of Hana, or east from Maui's upcountry towns. If you are driving from the east, be aware that large sections of the road are unpaved and riddled with potholes. Most car rental companies forbid you from driving here, and issue fines for doing so. You'll need to pay the national park fee to enter here.

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About the Author

Megan Hill is a Seattle-based writer with more than 10 years of experience. She has served as a writer and editor for websites and nonprofit organizations, as well as a reporter for magazines such as "Seattle Met," "Seattle Magazine" and "Edible Seattle."

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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